SERDANG, 24 Nov (Bernama) -- A plan is afoot to restructure the Institute of Agriculture Biotechnology into a company limited by guarantee to enable it to intensify its role in marketing its research and development (R&D).

Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Datuk Dr Maximus Ongkili said the ministry would submit a working paper on the proposal to the cabinet soon.

He said the old structure was not conducive for the institute in marketing the R&D and as such changes had to be made.

"The institute is entrusted with marketing the R&D produced by public and private universities. So the structure had to be reviewed to make it more efficient and act as a catalyst in marketing the R&D," he told reporters after visiting the institute here Monday.

He said it would also make its management more flexible and enable it to recruit talented researchers and enticing more entrepreneurs to capitalise on its R&D.

"This is a step in the right direction towards achieving the objectives of the National Biotechnology Policy which was implemented three years ago," he said.